Dahlkemper votes to repeal health-insurer antitrust exemption

Friday

U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, of Erie, D-3rd Dist., was among the House members who voted Wednesday to repeal the health-insurance industry's exemption from federal antitrust oversight.

The bill passed 406-19. If approved by the Senate and signed into law by President Barack Obama, it would require health insurers to comply with anti monopoly laws.

"For too long, Americans have been at the mercy of health- insurance companies that don't play by the rules," Dahlkemper said in a news release. "Pennsylvania's families are facing higher premiums and limited choices, while insurance companies raise prices and turn record profits."

The vote followed a contentious hearing in which House Democrats confronted health-insurance executives about rate increases and spending on salaries and retreats.

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